Best Beaches in Tenerife for Every Type of Traveller

To escape and sit quietly on the beach, that is my idea of paradise.— Emery Lord

Greetings, my sweet travellers and lovers of the sun.

You want to remember that you have been to the sea and that you have sampled sea salt and touched silk had you happened to find your way to me. I have made my life go by the beat of the Atlantic tide, and followed the rocky backbone of this island, in my gaze, along its misty coasts to its black shores; and I can assure you that Tenerife is not a place to visit. It is a feeling.

It is a spot where the flame of the volcano is seized by the coolness of the ocean. Many people ask, does Tenerife have sandy beaches?  It is a desert-island, the two souls in one, the rain-kissing emerald woods of the North and the everlasting gold, never-darkening South. Be it your lonesome dreamer, on the search for an obscure cove, or your family in need of a golden playground, Tenerife wrote you a love letter, which it embossed on the coasts.

So, let us begin our journey. Bring in your sense of wonder (and maybe a wide-brimmed hat), and I will take you to the most beautiful Tenerife beaches which this island has to show.

1. The Sanctuary of the Raw Poet: Playa de Benijo.

The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.

Playa de Benijo is the sacred place of the soul where beauty lies in the wild and the untamed. This beach is a masterpiece of prehistoric drama, and it is found at the northern end of the island in the Anaga Rural Park. For those wondering where the best beaches in Tenerife for raw nature are, this is the definitive answer.

It will be necessary to navigate through old laurel forests, which seem to have been used as the location of a fairytale, to get there. As you come at length down the wooden steps, you see gleaming and glittering black volcanic sand, and the “Roques”, soaring structures of rock which come up out of the surf like the hats of lost kings. There are no sun beds here; there is the pounding of the Atlantic and the sense of being on the verge of the world.

The Secret of the Experts: Be there an hour before sunset. During the low tide, the wet sand becomes a flawless dark mirror, which reflects the crimson sky and the shape of the rocks. It is, rather simply, the most photogenic location on the island.

2. The Sun-Tanned Socialite: Playa del Duque.

Luxury is the ease of a t-shirt in a very expensive dress.— Karl Lagerfeld

In case you are heart throbbing with beauty, then Playa del Duque in Costa Adeje is your place. It is here that the island has its best jewellery. This sand is creamy gold, and the water is a blazing crystal turquoise that would not have been out of place in the Maldives. It stands out among the best beaches in Tenerife for its feeling of elegant leisure. This area is frequently cited when discussing the best beaches in Tenerife South.

It is a feeling of elegant leisure. Imagine striped changing cabins, posh beach clubs and a boardwalk with designer stores. It is the ideal location to have a glass of cold Malvasia wine with the warm air blowing the fragrance of costly sun cream and jasmine.

The Secret of the Expert: Take a walk along the sea path to the fishing village of La Caleta. There is a row of rocky outcrops there, where the water is so clear, just the place to get in and swim unseen by the general groups.

3. The Playground of the Bohemian Adventurer: El Médano.

You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf. — Jon Kabat-Zinn

El Médano is restless and vibrant, and entirely infectious energy is all. It is not here to sit and rest but to move about. The sky in this place is a rainbow of primary colours, and it is full of sails of windsurfers and kites of those who are dancing with the wind. For the active soul, it is easily one of the best beaches in Tenerife.

The town itself is fantastic in being shabby-chic with surf shops and organic cafes around as well as people who believe in freedom as opposed to formality. The environment is dominated by the Montana roja (the Red Mountain), a volcano cone that shines like an ember at the golden hour. This is undoubtedly one of the nicest beaches in Tenerife for those who love a bohemian vibe. The Official Tenerife Tourism notes that this coastal hub remains a magnet for water sports enthusiasts from across the globe.

The Secret of the Experts: Don’t stand on the sand. Hike up the 20-minute Montaña Roja. The picture of looking out of the top, and down into the town with the white-capped waves breaking in, is the most satisfactory method of getting the geography of the island.

4. The Golden Promise of the Family: Playa de las Teresitas.

Every sun-bleached memory is a treasure for the heart.

Playa de las Teresitas is a dream-like beach that is located just outside the capital of Santa Cruz and resembles a Saharan dream. It is nearly so, as a matter of fact–tons of finely coloured golden sand were imported here out of Africa to make this palm-fringed paradise. When parents ask for the best beaches in Tenerife for children, this is always the answer. If you are questioning where are the best beaches in Tenerife for calm waters are, the breakwater here provides the perfect solution.

The sea here is as smooth as a lagoon, due to its huge breakwater. And it is the ideal safe haven where little ones can find their sea legs and parents can rest in the shade of a Canary palm. It is local, charming, and so friendly.

The Secret of the Experts: Go on a week day morning in the morning to see the big store of gold all to yourself. To the so-called “postcard shot”, drive up the winding road to the Mirador de Las Teresitas, and you will be shocked at the sight of this Spanish treasure.

5. The Secret Romantic getaway: Playa Abama.

In the sweetness of friendship and love, let there be laughter and the sharing of pleasures. — Khalil Gibran

Hiding in a small cove under a cliff on the west coast is an oyster-shaped cove, which makes one feel like a secret. Playa Abama has not been visited by the multitude and hence is a good getaway destination for couples looking for the best beaches in Tenerife to share a private moment. This secluded spot is one of the nicest beaches in Tenerife, offering a serene escape from the busier resorts.

It is a small amphitheatre of nature with its golden sands and emerald green water. The cliffs are blocking the wind to the beach, forming a serene sun-trapped haven. The figure of the other Canary Island, La Gomera, is seen on the horizon, as the sun is setting, like a floating kingdom in the mist. In fact, many of Tenerife’s beaches, including this one, are considered among the best beaches in Spain

The Secret of the Expert: Fill a small hamper with local goat cheese, figs and honey. Nothing can be more romantic than an Al Fresco dinner on the sand when the stars are just starting to show their heads at twilight.

6. The Retirement of the Nature Purist: Playa de la Tejita.

Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.— Lao Tzu

Playa de la Tejita is your cathedral in case you are distracted by umbrellas and sunbeds, as the beauty of the Earth is what you are here to see. It is among the biggest natural shores on the island and frequently tops the list of the best beaches in Tenerife for those who prefer blissful undevelopment. For those exploring the best beaches in Tenerife South, La Tejita offers a wilder alternative to the manicured resort sands.

This place is a feeling of great freedom. The dunes are whistled by the wind, sand is hot and brash, and the ocean is so huge and mighty. It is a prime example of the beautiful sandy beaches in Tenerife that remain untouched by massive infrastructure. It can be the location where one walks, thinks and gets to know the elements again

The Secret of the Expert: Go all the way to the far eastern end, and it is just under the shadow of the Red Mountain. The island has a little cove which is tucked into the rock, and which offers a natural shelter against the breeze–the best nook is there.

7. The Vision of the Artist: Playa Jardin.

The sea, the great unifier, is man’s only hope.”— César Manrique

Northern Puerto de la Cruz has a beach which was artistically designed. Playa Jardin was the concept of the great Canarian artist César Manrique. He would have preferred to balance the volcanic nature with the plants of the islands, creating one of the most unique and best beaches in Tenerife. If you are still wondering does tenerife have sandy beaches that are dark and volcanic, Playa Jardin is the most beautiful example.

In order to get to the sandy area, which is dark and glittering, one has to walk through beautifully landscaped botanical gardens, beneath running waterfalls and walls of volcanic stones that are in blossom of the hibiscus plant and its colourful flowers. It is a sensual pleasure, the odour of tropical flowers blending with the salt spray of the seaside. It is truly one of the nicest beaches in Tenerife for art and nature lovers alike.

The Secret of the Expert: This beach is loveliest when the tide is coming in, and the waves are crashing upon the black rocks. It is a bright recollection of the burning nature of Tenerife.

A Final Wish for Your Journey

Being your travelling professional and a friend, I only hope that you do not visit these beaches but experience them. Allow the black sand to spongify your flesh, allow the salt to fall in your hair, and allow the Canary sun to heat your soul.

Tenerife is willing to share its secrets with you. All you need to do is listen to the call of the waves and let Low Cost Vibes guide your journey.

FAQs about the best beaches in Tenerife